Press for molding plastic materials



Aug. 15, 1944. G. w. WACKER PRESS FOR MOLDING PLASTIC MATERIAL Original Filed March 15, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet l v G. w. wAcKER 2,355,613

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PRESS FOR MQLDING PLASTIC MATERIAL Original Filed Maich 15, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 15, 1944. G. w. WACKER PRESS FOR MOLDING PLASTQIC MATERIAL Original Filed March 15, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 15, 1944.

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Aug. 15, 1 944. G. W. WACKER. 2,355,613

PRESS FOR MOLDING PLASTIC MATERIAL Original Filed March 15, 1941 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 29/ Z92 29 I k 11206722 5? 63059;? WWaciFer 15, 1944- G. w. WACKER 2,355,613

PRESS FOR MOLDING PLASTIC MATERIAL Original Filed March 15, 1941 ll Sheets-Sheet ll Patented Aug. 15, 1944 2,355,613 PRESS FOR MOLDING PLASTIC MATERIALS George W. Wacker, Chicago, 1ll., assignor to Clearing Machine Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Original application March 5, 1941, Serial No. 381,841. Divided and this application October 10, 1941, Serial No. 414,496

v(Cl. 18-16) a 141 Claims.

This application is a division of application, Serial Number 381,841, filed March 5, 1941, and relates to improvements in a press for molding plastic materials, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved machine or press for processing material which has been previously plasticized and is particularly adapted though not necessarily limited in its use for producing objects by injection process.

Heretofore it has been customary in injection molding machines of this character to supply the material in hard granular form and then introduce it into a heating chamber within the machine to plasticize it to a point where it may be injected or forced into a mold.

With such a press it necessitates considerabl heat and time to reduce the material to such a state as to adapt it for such injection, with the result that among other things, the capacity and speed with which the machine may be operated, is controlled by the length of time necessary to properly heat th material and the use of such a method soon becomes economically impractical for the production of large pieces or objects.

Furthermore, in the prior machines it has been necessary to maintain the temperature of the heating means considerably in excess of the plasticizing temperature in order to secure reasonable and rapid heat transfer from the heating means to the material. This results in much difliculty clue to overheating and burning of the material.

Furthermore, with the prior machines, it has been found necessary in order to heat the material to break it up into small streams so that the heat may surround them while being passed through the heating chamber or zone. This results in objectionable resistance to the flow of the material through the restricted passages, requiring excessive pressures, as well as presenting the objectionable and diflicult task of cleaning the passages when changing the material or color.

Furthermore, mechanical diiiiculties will be created by the high pressures necessary and involved, causing leakage of the material past the plunger.

The articles molded or formed by the prior machines are more or less limited in mass or section, as a result of shrinkage due to dissipation of the heat in cooling, and in the inability of such machines to overcome such diihculty, for the reason that the material is forced into the mold through sprues or runners, and the portion of the material in the sprues will chill before the material in the mold cavities proper. The chilling or cooling of this portion of the material causes it to become set or hard and it cannot then be forced into commingling relation with the material which is in the mold cavity, in an attempt to compensate such shrinkage.

To provide a machine and method of molding plastic materials which will overcome these and other difliculties and objections is another object 7 of the present invention.

vA further object is to provide in a machine or press of this character for injection molding; improved meansv whereby the heating oi. the plasticized material within the machine is dispensed with, and in the operation of which machine the material will be heated and plasticized by means entirely separate from or outside the machine or press.

A iurther object is to provide improved means to prevent chilling of the preheated material after it has been placed in the machine and prior to injection into the mold cavity, by maintaining the temperature of the injection chamber, 1. e. the chamber which receives the packaged material prior to its injection into the mold cavity, only at a temperature to maintain the material in its preheated plasticized condition.

A turther object is to provide improved means for exerting pressure upon the mold elements to close the same, and improved means for increasing such pressure whereby to overcome the internal pressure of the mold created by forcing the material into the mold cavity.

A further object is to provide improved means for delivering a supply of material into the mold cavity, and improved means for augmenting the supply of material in such cavity to compensate shrinkage of the material and thereby insure accuracy in the product or article itself.

A further object is to provide in a machine of this character an improved platen for carrying and manipulating the mold and improved means for controlling the operation of the platen.

A further object is to provide an improved machine of this character embodying a ram or slide which has only a very short extent of movement thereby requiring relative small pumps or motors and a relatively small supply of fluid for operation of the slides.

A further object is to provide in a press of this character an open injection chamber for receiving the material to be injected into the mold, and which chamber is closed by one of the mold elements, and improved means whereby the mold may be raised to cover or open the injection .be made in the methods and. processes.

chamber to permit tree and unrestricted access to the interior of the chamber and of the placing of the material into such chamber.

A further object is to provide improved knockout mechanism for the article and improved means for rendering the knockout mechanism active and inactive at will. A further object is to provide in a machine of this character a platen cooperating with the mold and operating with a comparatively long stroke and comparatively low pressure; a ram operating with a comparatively short stroke with great pressure; and an element adapted to be interposed between the ram and platen whereby the pressure of the ram will be exerted upon the platen in addition to the pressure directly acting upon the platen, the said element being withdrawn from between the platen and ram to permit the raising of the platen and the mold.

A further object is to provide in a machine of this character improved means whereby two steps of pressure may be exerted upon the ram.

This invention resides not only in the mechanism disclosed but also in the methods or processes carried out by the machine or press for forming articles from material which has been plasticized before being placed into the machine.

The preferred form of mechanism by means of which the methods or processes may be carried out has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in connection therewith, but it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the sev-. eral parts of the machine, and also changes may In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine or press by means of which this invention may be carried out, a portion of the lower part of the press being omitted.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 33 Figure 1 on an enlarged scale, and showing some of the parts in elevation.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken on line 44 Figure 1 and showing the portion of the mechanism which is disposed below the bed of the machine.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 with parts omitted and on an enlarged scale, showing some of the parts in a different position. 7

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 with parts omitted, and with the filler member that is to be inserted between the ram and platen, in an inoperative position and with the ejecting mechanism in operative position.

Figure 7 is a detail view partly in plan and partly broken away and as taken on line '|--'I Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid or hydraulic system.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view of one form of mold embodying a supplementary chamber for the material and the means for ejedting the supplementary supply into the mold chamber.

Figure 10 is a front elevation of one form of mechanism for locking the mold sections to gether.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on line I l-H Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a sectional view of one form of mold and the means for arresting the movement of one section towards the other.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 showing the parts in different positions.

Figures 14, 15, 16, 17, i8, 19 and 20 are detail views partly in elevation and partly in section of valve mechanisms employed in this system.

The press consists essentially of a bed 20 which may be mounted upon a suitable base 2|, uprights 22 and a crown 23, constructed in any desired or suitable manner either integrally or of a sectional construction and if of a sectional construction the parts may be fastened or secured together in any desired manner or by means of tie rods. Reciprocable between the uprights is a platen 24 and the ends of the platen preferably project between and beyond cooperating uprights 22, as shown more clearly in Figure 1. The platen may be guided in its reciprocating movement in any suitable manner such as by means of depending guide members 25 that are secured to the platen preferably beyond the uprights 22 and pass through guides 26 secured to the bed 20.

If desired, additional guides 21 may be provided which extend above the platen beyond the uprights 22 and project thereabove so as to move through suitable guideways, which latter may be a portion of brackets 28 secured to the crown 23.

The platen is raised or lowered or given a reciprocating movement through the medium of fluid operating mechanism such as cylinders 23 that are supported by the crown 23 and in which cylinders (see also Figure 8) pistons 30 reciprocate, the pistons being connected respectively by means of rods 3| with the platen 24, in any suitable manner.

Fluid pressure is admitted into the cylinders 29, in a manner to be hereinafter described, by means of pipes 32 which enter the bottom of the cylinders beneath the piston 30 so as to raise the platen and by means of pipes 33 above the pistons to lower the platen, the fluid pressure being supplied from a suitable source and being controlled in its direction of flow by suitable valves, all of which later will be described.

Arranged above the bed 20 is a ram 34 (see particularly Figures 3 and 5) which operates in a cylinder 35 in the crown 23. The cylinder 35 is open at its bottom and is closed by means of a gland or annular member 36 which projects into a recess 31 preferably formed as an enlargement of the cylinder 35, and is held in position in any suitable manner such as by means of screws or bolts 38.

The portion 39 of the ram 34 within the cylinder 35 is of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the portion which passes through the gland o1" annular member 36 so as to form a circumferential shoulder 40 which is adapted, when the piston reaches a predetermined point in its lowering movement to contact with the end 4| of the gland or annular member 36 and thereby serves as a stop for limiting the movement of the ram in a downward direction.

Suitable packing 42 and a packing gland 43 may be provided to form a fluid tight joint for the ram and the packing gland 43 is held in position by means of the usual bolts 44,

If desired, the periphery of the gland 36 may be provided with a shoulder 45 to form an abutment for the gland.

The ram is raised in the cylinder 35 by fluid pressure admitted from a suitable source through a pipe 46 and through the inlet 41, and the fluid pressure is admitted to the other side of the ram through a passage 48, a control valve 48 being provided to control the direction oi flow or the fluid.

The ram 34 is adapted for a comparatively short extent of movement while the platen is adapted for a comparatively long extent of movement, and the extent of lowering movement of the ram with respect to the extent of the lowering movement of the platen is such that when the platen is at the end of its stroke, and the ram at the limit of its throw, the ram will be spaced a considerable distance above the platen.

Therefore in order that the pressure of the ram will operate upon the platen when the latter is in its lowermost position, a filler member 50 i provided which is adapted to be moved into and out of the space between the ram and the platen.

This filler member may be of any desired or suitable construction and is adapted to be moved in guideways formed in a member 52 which latter is secured in any desired or suitable manner such as by means of bolts 53 (see Figs. 1 and 3) to the end of the ram 34. The member 52 is of a considerable length, and the filler member may. be provided with ears or projections 5! that move in the guideways.

This filler member 50 is of such a size that when the platen is in its lowermost position, and the ram is in its elevated position, the flller member may be moved into the space between the platen and ram, so that when the ram is then lowered the forc of the ram will be. exerted upon the platen through the medium of the filler member to hold the platen against raising movement, which raising movement would result from pressure beneath the platen.

The pressures exerted in the cylinders 29 to lower the platen is not sufficient to hold the platen against rising movement under pressure under predetermined conditions and therefore the pressure of the ram augments the pressure upon the platen to hold the platen against rising movement.

The member 52 may, if desired, be provided with a projecting portion 54' (see particularly Fig. 3) which enters a recess 55'- in the end of the member 34 and this assists in holding the member 52 in position and will relieve the bolts of lateral stress,

The filler member 50 may be moved into and out of position with respect to the ram 34 in any desired or suitable manner. A simple and emcient means for accomplishing this result embodies a cylinder and piston element, and in order to provide a means whereby the extent of movement of the filler member may be accomplished, without unduly extending the length of the cylinder, there may be provided a tubular member 55 (see particularly Figure 6) within which there is provided another tubular member 51 of a considerably smaller external. diameter to provide an annular space- 58 between the two tubular members. The spacing of these tubular members may be accomplished in any suitable manner. Within the inner tubular member is arranged a piston 59 to which is connected a piston rod. to the forward end of which rod is connected, as at 5|, a cap 62, suitable packing 63 being provided to form a fluid tight joint between the piston rod and the end 64 of the inner tubular member 51. This end member 64 may be removably secured to the end of thetubular member 51 by means of suitable'bolts 65 and the inner tubular member may be provided with a shoulder 66 which abuts the end 61 of the outer tubular member 56. An opening 59 is provided in the end of the inner tubular member 51 to which opening a pipe "is connected through which fluid pressure from a suitable source or supply is admittedinto the cylinder formed by the tubular member 51 on one side of'the piston 59.

Openings 1|! are provided in the wall of the inner tubular member or cylinder 51 adjacent the opposite end'thereof. to form communication between the tubular member 51 and the tubular member 56 so that fluid entering into the space 58 between these tubular members 56 and 51 will flow through the openings 10 to the opposite side of the piston 59 to move it in the opposite direction.

A pipe 1| has communication with the space 58 between the tubular members so that when fluid pressure is admitted into the pipe 1| (see particularly Figure 6) it will flow through the space 59 in the direction of the arrows, thence through the opening 10 into the tubular member 51 to operate on the piston 59 and move it in the opposite direction. Fluid which is in the tubular member 51 will then be forced out through the pipe 59. When the direction of flow of fluid is reversed,

that is, when the fluid is admitted through the- The cap member 92 is secured to the filler member 50 by means of suitable fastening bolts 19 I that pass through a flange 14 on the cap so that when the piston 59 is moved forwardly, that is, toward the right from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the filler member will be positioned between the ram 34 and the platen 24. The cylinders are secured in position and are supported by the member 52 that issecured to the ram 34 in any desired or suitable manner such as a bar or member 15 which is connected to the end of the cylinder, and project beyond opposite sides there- 01. Supporting or anchoring bars or rods 16 are secured to the member 52 and also at 11 to the member 15 so that the cylinders 56--51 will be raised and lowered with the ram. The flller member is provided with an opening 19 therethrough into which the forward end of the cylinder 56 projects. 'It will therefore be manifest that by manipulation of the piston 59 the flller member 50 may be moved forwardly or backwardly, sliding in the guideways 5|- so as to position it between the ram and the platen or to move it out of such position, and the operation or manipulation of this filler member 59 is controlled by the operation of the valve 12. a

In order to increase the pressure of the ram upon the platen when the filler member 50 is in position between the platen and the ram so as to overcome or resist the tendency of excessive pressure beneath the platen to raise the latter, and to a pressure beyond the line pressure or the operating pressure within the cylinder 35, meansare provided whereby the pressure in the cylinder 35 may be increased. To that end there may be provided a plunger 19' (see particularlyFi'gures 3 and 5), which is arranged preferably adjacent the upper end of the. cylinder 35 to operate in a plane transverse to, the plane of the vertical movement of'the ram 34. This plunger is 1 vided for the plunger "I9.

In order to prevent interference of the ram 34 with the operation of the plunger I9, there may be provided a projection 84 on the end of the ram which, when the ram is at the limit of its uppermost movement engages a projection or shoulder 85 on the interior surface of the wall,

thereby providing a space into which the plunger 19 may be forced. The flow of fluid pressure into and out of the cylinder 8I is controlled by means of a control valve 89 similar to the valves 12 and 49 and is adapted to be operated to direct the fluid pressure into the cylinder 8i and to permit the fluid to flow out of the cylinder 8I when the ram 34 rises, as the fluid in the cylinder 35 above the ram will operate upon the end of the plunger l9 and when this pressure overcomes the pressure on the opposite side of the piston 80 the plunger 19 will be moved backwardly and out of the cylinder 35.

Below the bed 20 of the press is arranged a cylinder 81 in which operates a piston 88. The cylinder 81 is supported beneath the bed 20 of the press in any suitable manner, such as by means of a cylinder head 09 being secured by means of fastening bolts 90 to the bed. Connected to the piston 88 is a piston rod 9I that extends through a stufling box 92 and to the end of the piston rod is connected a plunger 93 by means of a suitable coupling 94, the rod and plunger being preferably arranged i n alinement.

The bea zn of the press has provided therein an opening 95 which preferably increases in diameter from the top to the bottom of the bed so as to form a conical space 96 which communicates or forms the end of a chamber 91. Adjacent the bottom of the chamber 91 is an inwardly projecting annular flange 98 upon which a resilient annular packing member 99 rests, the opening in the packing registering with the opening in the flange.

A bearing member I is provided with a circumferential.peripheral flange IOI which latter, when the end of the bearing I00 projects through the registering openings in the element 98 and flange 98, will rest upon the resilient element 99. The external diameter of the bearing I 00 above the flange IOI is considerably less than the internal diameter of the chamber 91 and this member is of a length to terminate considerably short of the upper end of the chamber.

Resting upon the top of the bearing I00 and preferably in a recess I02 is a tubular member I03, the latter being provided with a flange I04 at the base thereof to enter the said recess I02. This tubular member I03 constitutes what will hereinafter be designated as an injection chamber and encompassing the injection chamber is a collar I which serves as a means to reinforce the member I03 against bursting, and encompassing the member I05 is another member I06 which latter may be provided with suitable openings through which a heating or cooling medium may be circulated if desired, or, if desired, heating means may be provided in lieu of the openings.

This heating means is provided so as to maintain the injection chamber onlyat a sumcient temperature to prevent chilling of the material to be operated upon and which is contained within the chamber and to prevent a dissipation of the heat from the material throughout the machine.

Connected to the piston 9I preferably below the coupling 94 is a disc or member I01 and passing through this member I01. are any desired number of rods or pins I08 which have attached thereto and beneath the member I01 a nut or' collar III, the rods I08 being adapted to slide freely through the member I0I. These rods pass loosely through the flange 98 and also through the resilient packing 99 being anchored at their free ends, as at I09 to the bearing I09 by being threaded into the flange I0 I.

The upper end of the injection chamber I03 is disposed in allnement with the opening 95 and the open end of the injection chamber is less than the diameter of the opening 95 and the normal tendency of the resilient element 99 is to move the end of the injection chamber toward the opening 95, when the piston 89 is raised. I

When, however, the piston 88 is lowered the resilient member 99 will be placed under compression through the medium of the rods I08 and this will draw the end of the injection chamber away from the bottom of the opening 96 to provide an air circulation space III between the end of the injection chamber and the bottom of the opening 90. This is accomplished in the following manner:

Resting upon the bed 20 of the press is a sec-v tion III of a mold which latter is provided with a sprue or runner II2. Extending from the bottom mold section III is a projection II3 which is of a diameter to fit within and fill the opening 95. A portion of the projection H3 is reduced as at H4 and the external diameter of the reduced portion I I4 is slightly less than the internal open end of the injection chamber I03 so that when the injection chamber is moved toward the bottom of the mold section III, the reduced portion II4 will enter the injection chamber and form a closure therefor. At the same time the end of the injection chamber will engage the bottom of the extension 95 of the mold to form a closure for such space, thereby obviating the danger of the material which is forced from the injection chamber, of flowing out of the injection chamber to be wasted, but instead will insure that the material will be injected through the sprue III and into the mold.

As the piston 88 rises by reason of fluid pressure being forced into the bottom of the cylinder 81 below the piston through the pipe II5, the member I01 carried by the piston will rise and the plunger will also rise within the injection chamber tending to force the material therefrom into the sprue. As the member I01 rises, the tendency of the resilient element 99 is to expand and by expanding will raise the bearing I00 together with the injection chamber I03 to move the end of the latter into engagement with the bottom of the mold section I I I. Any fluid in the cylinder 81 on the other side of the piston 88 will be forced out of the pipe I I6. The direction of flow of the fluid into and out of the cylinder 81 will be controlled by a valve II1 similar in construction to the valves 43, I2 and 85.

After the molding operation, the direction of flow of fluid is reversed by the valve III causing the pressure beneath the piston 88 to be relieved and also causing pressure to be exerted upon the top side of the piston 80. As the piston descends it will draw with it the plunger 93 until the member I01 contacts the ends or collar I09 on the rod I where upon further descent of the piston 08 will move the member I01 downwardly causing it to engage the ends or collar I09 to draw the bearing member I00 downwardly against the stress of the resilient element 99, with the result that the air circulation space IIO between the end of the injection chamber I03 and the bottom of the mold section III will be re-established.

The chamber 91 may be employed as a container for a cooling liquid, such as water or the like, which may be supplied through a suitable pipe I I8 from any suitable source and which pipe has connection with the chamber through'a passage II9 that in turn communicates with the chamber 91, an overflow passage II9-a. being provided to maintain the desired water level in the chamber 91. Air circulation passages I20 may also be provided in the bed of the press for maintaining the parts cool.

Cooperating with the mold section III is another mold section I 2| and these mold sections may be of any desired or suitable construction and preferably embody knockout pins I22 with which a knockout plate I23 cooperates, as is usual in molds of this character. The reduced portion 95 of the mold section III serves as a means for maintaining the section against displacement with respect to the surface of the bed upon which it rests and the mold sections may be secured together in any desired or well known manner.

The section I2I of the mold is secured in any suitable manner to the platen 24 so as to be raised and lowered by the latter, and thereby separate the mold sections so as to permit the ejection or knockout of the article I24.

The material to be molded is plasticized before it is placed within the injection chamber I03, and in order to accomplish this, it is necessary to raise the mold section I I I. This is accomplished because the mold section III is attached to the platen 24. In the operation of the machine, an article is molded and the two sections I2I and II I of the mold are raised by the platen so as to permit of the insertion, of more material into the injection chamber when the material that formerly was in the injection chamber has been consumed. The raising of the mold section III will uncover the opening 95 so that the material may be placed into the injection chamber through this opening. -While the new charge of material is being inserted and while the molds are being raised by the platen, the material in the mold will be given an opportunity to set after which the platen is lowered and then the upper section of the mold I2I is raised so as to permit of the operation of the knockout pins I22 to knockout the article from the mold. This is accomplished by means of knockout pin operating mechanism (see particularly Figures 3, and 7). Within the platen 24 is arranged a series of pins I25, any number of which may be provided and which are adapted to be projected below the bottom of the platen. These pins are provided with heads I26 operating in recesses I21 and beneath the heads I28 and within the recesses are springs I28 which tend normally to raise the pins I 25 and hold them in inoperative position so that during the ordinary operation of the press and when the filler member 50 is in engagement with the platen to ;exert pressure on the latter, these pins will be forced upwardly by means of the springs I28 as shown more clearly in Figure 3.

When it is desired to elect or knock. out the article I24 from the mold, the ram 34 is raised and the tiller member is movedirom between the ram and the platen and into an inoperative position by withdrawing the same causing it to slide along. the guideways 5| in the member 52. The knockout pin operating mechanism is then placed into position betweenthe ram and the platen. This mechanism embodies a member I29 which is mounted to slide in the guideways 5I in the member 52 and is normally disconnected from the filler member 50.-

This member I29 is provided with depending pins or projections I30 one for each of the pins I25 in the platen 24 and is held in an inoperative position and to one side of the machine in any desired or suitable manner, such as by means of a latch or catch I3I which is connected to a shaft I32, the latter being mounted or supported by the member 52. Connected to the shaft I32 is a lever I 33 to the ends I34 of which may be attached operating cords or elements I35 so that by rocking the lever I33 the catch I3I will be moved into and out of operative position so as to enter or to be moved out of the opening I36 in a plate or extension I31 that is secured to the member I29 (see also Figure 6).

To move the operating mechanism I29 into position with respect to the platen, there is provided a coupling between the element 62 which is operated by the piston 59 and the member I29 which may be of any desired or suitable construction.

A suitable construction, however, embodies a headed pin or extension I38 (see Figures 5 and 6) that is adapted to enter a socket I39 carried by the member I29. -This socket may be of any construction but may embody spring controlled pins or balls adapted to be projected under the head or the pin I38 when the latter is seated in the socket I39. The stress of the springs is surficient to cause the member I 28 to be locked to the element 62, so as to be drawn into position between the plunger and the platen when the catch I3I is inoperative.

When, however, the member I29 is moved out of operating position between the ram and the platen and when the catch I3I again enters the opening I36 in the plate I31 to hold the member I29 against movement with the element 62, the coupling I38I33 will yield and the member I29 will be held in an inoperative position whilethe element I52 and the filler member 50 are retracted.

When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 6, that is, when the member I29 and the operating pins I30 are in alinement with the ejector or knockout pin mechanism I 25, and when the platen is raised to raise the upper section I2I of the mold, the pins I30 will operate upon the pins I25 to cause them to project beneath the platen and force downwardly the plate I23 to which the pins I22 are attached thereby knocking out the article as shown more clearly in Figure 6 of the drawings.

As means for holding the catch I3| in either of its positions there may be provided a spring controlled pin I40 which is adapted to enter one of therecesses MI in an arm or extension I42 carried by the lever I33 as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 5. If desired, any suitable means may be provided for cooling. the mold sections III and HI and to that end there .is provided v in the respective mold sections fluid circulation spaces? or passages I43-I44 and supported by the platen 24 or the guides 21 are pipes I45 which have communication with the passages in the mold sections. These pipes I45 may be supported by a suitable bracket I46 (see particularly Figure 2) and telescope respectively into tubular members I41, the upper end I48 of which is closed. A pipe I49 is connected to one of these tubular members I41 and a similar pipe I59 is connected to the other of the members I41 so that a cooling fluid may be circulated through the mold by flowing into the pipe I49, thence through one of the tubular members I41, one of the pipes I45, through the passages I43 and thence out through the other pipe I45--I41 and outthrough the pipe By this arrangement it will be manifest that rigid pipes may be employed in lieu of flexible hose as the reciprocation of the platen will not' interfere with these pipes, the pipes I45 being movable into and out of the pipes I41 respectively as the platen 24 is raised or lowered.

The fluid for the system is supplied from any suitable source through a pipe I5I, reference being had particularly to the diagram in Figure 8, which pipe is connected with a pump I52 that in turn is operated by a motor I53. Leading from the pump I52 is a pipe I54 which has connection with a pipe I 55 the latter in turn being connected by means of branches through the medium of pipes I56--I51 with the 4-way valve II1 which latter controls the direction of flow of the fluid with respect to the piston 88.

This pipe I55 is connected by means of a pipe I58 with one side of a manually controlled valve I59 and connected also to the valve I59 is an exhaust or outlet pipe I69. A pipe I6I leads from the casing of the valve I59 and communicates with the pipe 33 which in turn has communication with th platen, raising and lowering the cylinders 29 on one side of the piston 39. The valve I59 also has communication by means of a pipe I62 which in turn has communication with the pipe 32 leading to the cylinders 29 on the other side of the piston 39 and in the pipe I58 may be provided a globe valve I63. The valve I59 is manually operated in any suitable manner such as by means of an operating lever or handle I64. This valve will be specifically described later.

Both of the pipes I6II62 serve as fluid inlet and fluid outlet pipes for the cylinders 29. That is, when the valve I59 is set so as to direct the fluid into the cylinder 29 on one side of the piston the fluid on the other side of the piston will flow .out through .the pipe 32, pipe I62, through'the valve I59 and into the exhaust pipe I69. When the valve I59 is'reversed, the direction of flow of the fluid will also be reversed. i

As a means for preventing a sudden blow of the platen 24 against the mold when the platen is lowered, cushion means is provided in the cylinders 29 and comprises a pipe I65 of a very small diameter which leads from the end of the cylinders below the piston 39' and has communication with the pipe I62 by means of a valve I66. This valve I66 may be of any desired or suitable construction such as an ordinary openand shut valve that is adapted to be opened to any degree or extent so as to control the size of the passage through which the fluid, being forced out of the cylinders 29, will flow back into the pipe I62. It will therefore be manifest that inasmuch as the pipe I65 is of a smaller diameter and when the fluid is trapped between the piston and the end of the cylinder, it will flow solely through the pipe I85 and thereby form a. cushion.

The pipe 32 has communication with the cylinder 29 at a higher elevation than the point at which the pipe I65 has communication with the cylinder and it will be seen that during the first part of the descent of the piston 39 in the cylinder 29, fluid will be forced out through the pipe 32 but, when the piston 39 assumes-a position to close the pipe 32 and the corresponding opening in the cylinder 29, the only escape for the fluid will be through the pipe I65 and as this pipe is of a comparatively small diameter with respect to the pipe 32 the escape of the fluid will be greatly retarded.

The pipe I55 also has communication with another pipe I61 that leads to the valve 49, the speciflc construction of which will be later described, but is preferably of the 4-way type and is the valve which controls the flow of fluid through the pipes 46-48 of the ram 34. The casing of the valve 49 is also connected to an exhaust pipe I68.

Similarly the pipe I55 is connected by means of a branch I69 with the valve 86 which controls the admission of the fluid operating pressure to the cylinder 8I that actuates the plunger 19 which operates to intensity the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder 35, as will be later described, and within this pipe I69 may be arranged a check valve I1I. Leading from the casing of the valve 86 is an exhaust pipe I19.

Leading from the pipe I55 is another pipe I12 which has communication with the valve mechanism 12, the latter operating to control the direction of flow of the fluid through the pipes 59-1I for moving the filler member 59 into and out of position between the ram and the platen, and leading from the casing of the valve 12 is a discharge outlet pipe I 14.

Thus it will be seen that the pump I52 receiving its supply of fluid through the pipe I5I will direct the same through the pipe I54 and into the pipe I55 to be distributed to the various mechanisms, a check valve I15 being provided between the pipes I54 and I55.

The pump I 52 is a continuously operating pump and will establish and maintain a pressure in the line through the pipe I55 and by controlling the respective valves 4912-86 and H1 the direction of flow of the fluid will be controlled to move the respective parts accordingly, the raising and lowering movement of the platen being controlled by the valve I59.

The valves 49--1286 and H1 are fluid actuated valves and pressure is supplied to actuate these valves by means of a pump I16 which receives its supply through a pipe I11 leading from the source of supply. The pump discharges into a pipe I18 and this pipe with the branches which are attached thereto are of a smaller diameter than the diameter of the pipe I55 with the various pipes attached to the latter and in the description of the pipe I18 and its communicating pipes which convey the fluid pressure to the valves to operate them will hereinafter be designated as the pilot pipes or pilot system. This pilot pipe I18 has communication with a pipe I19 with a manually operated valve I89 and leading from the casing of the valve I89 is a pipe I8I which connectsw'ith an exhaust ipe I82. Leading also from the valve casing I89 is a pilot pipe I88 which has communication with the casing of the valve 49 and a second pilot pipe I84 also has comthe pipe I14.

munication with the casing of the valve 49, and the valve I80, so that by manipulating the valve I80 the direction of flow of the fluid through the pilot line to the valve 49 will be controlled and thereby the raising and lowering movement of the piston 39 in the cylinder 35 which controls the movement of the ram will be controlled.

Similarly leading from the pipe I18 is another pipe I95 which connects to the casing of a valve I86 and leading from the valve I86 is another pipe I81 which communicates with the exhaust pipe I82. The valve I86 is manually controllable and leading from the valve I86 is a pipe I88 which has communication with the valve 86 and another pipe I89 also has communication with the valve I86 and the valve 86 so that by positioning the valve I86 in one position, fluid pressure from the pipe I69 will enter the cylinder 8I to advance the piston 80 and the plunger 19 to force the latter into the cylinder 35 and thereby intensify or increase the fluid pressure in the cylinder 35 against the piston 39.

When the valve I86 is set to exhaust the fluid pressure from the cylinder 8I, the pressure in the cylinder 35 will operate upon the end of the plunger 19 to force the piston 80 backwardly in the cylinder 8I so that the fluid in the cylinder 8I behind the piston will flow through the valve .86, thence through the pipe I10 back to the exhaust or tank. Still another pipe I90 forms communication between the pipe I18 and a valve casing I9 I, the latter having a valve therein which is preferably manually operated and a pipe I92 forms communication between the valve casing HI and the exhaust pipe I82.

Leading also from the valve casing I9I is a pipe I 93 which has communication with the casing of the valve 12 and another pipe I94 forms communication between the casing of the valve 12 and the casing of the valve I9I with the result that when the valve I9I is set so as to direct the fluid pressure from the pilot system through the pipe I93 and the valve 13 is moved in one direction,

the piston 59 will be correspondingly moved by the advance of fluid pressure from the pipe I12,

and at the same time the fluid pressure on the other side of the piston will flow out of the cylin der through the pipe 69, to the exhaust through The exhaust from. the pilot system will flow from the valve casing 12, pipe I94, through the valve I9I, pipe I92, to the exhaust pipe I82.

The action of the injection plunger is also controlled by the valve I9 5 which is also preferably a manually operated valve, the casing of which has communication by means of the pipe I96 with the pilot pipe I18 and has communication by means of a pipe I91 with the exhaust pipe I82. Leading from the valve casing I95 is a pipe I98 which has communication with the casing of the valve H1 and a pipe I99 also has communication with the valve H1 and the valve casing I95, so that when the valve I95 is set to direct the fluid pressure beneath the piston 88 to raise the injection plunger, the fluid pressure to operate the valve will be from the pilot pipe I18, through the pipe I96, valve I95, pipe I98, to the valve H1. The fluid pressure to the cylinder 81 will then be through the pipe II5 beneath the piston 88. At the same time fluid on the other side of the piston 88 will be exhausted from the cylinders 81 through the pipe II6, valve II1 to the exhaust pipe I51.

Thus it will be seen that by manipulating the various valves I-I88 and I9I as well as the valve I64, the operation of the various parts of the press may be controlled.

The pipe I55 also has communication with a discharge or outlet pipe 200 and in the operation of the pump I52 to build up the necessary pressure in the system such pressure is controlled by means of the necessary pressure regulating valve MI in the pipe I55 and this pressure regulating valve 20I will also operate'as a relief valve.

When the part of the mechanism to which the pressure is applied (such as the slide) reaches the limit of its movement or meets with'suflicient resistance, then no more fluid in volume can be supplied to the operating parts, but the pump I52 will still be operating, and by attempting to force more fluid into the system, the relief valve 20I will open to handle the surplus-fluid and the pump I52 will then operate to discharge the fluid at full pressure back to the tank or source of supply through the pipe I54, past the valve I15, through the valve 20I and out through the pipe 200 back to the tank or source of supply.

However, such a condition will result in the loss of power and in order to obviate such loss a supplemental relief valve 202 is provided in the pipe I54 and connected also to the casing of the valve 202 is an exhaust pipe 203.

This valve 202 is operated at a predetermined time in the operation of the mechanism and the means for controlling the operation of this valve 202 operates to automatically open the valve, with the result that the fluid at low pressure will be d scharged from the pump I52 through the pipe I54, past the valve 202 into the pipe 203 and back to the tank or source of supply.

However, at this time and although the fluid is being discharged back into the tank or source of supply by pump I52, it is necessary to maintain the predetermined fluid pressure within the system and against the actuated parts, that is, such as against the slides, etc. This may be accomplished by the use of the pump I16, which is preferably of a smaller capacity and connected with the system so as to supply the necessary fluid to maintain such pressure, such connection being made by means of a pipe 204 which has communication with the pipe I18 and in which pipe 204 is arranged the necessary control valve 205. The output of the pump I 16 is prevented from discharging through the main pump I52 by means of the check valve I15. This pump I16 directs fluid through the pilot system I18 and the direction of flow in this pilot system is controlled by the manually operated valves I86 I8Il-I9I and I so as to direct the fluid to one side or the other of the respective 4-way valves 49, 13, 86 and H1 to cause a change in the direction of flow of the fluid to one side or the other of the respective operating pistons.

The valve 205 will not open to permit fluid to be supplied to the system by the pump I16 until the pressure from the pump I16 exceeds the pressure in the system at any time.

Another valve 206 controls the-operation of a valve 201 in the pipe I55 and which valve 201 controls the inlet of the fluid pressure into an exhaust pipe 208, and which valve 201 is opened to permit a sudden discharge of the fluid pressure from the system back into the tank or source of supply through the pipe 208.

This is sometimes necessary or desirable to temporarily render the machine inoperative.

The valve 201 is opened to permit such discharge of fluid by actuating the valve 206 and the opening of the valve 201 is accomplished by venting the valve 201 through the pipe-209.

A vent line 2I0 normally maintains the valve 202 in a position that the pump I52 will cause fluid to flow therethrough into the system and is operated so as to be positioned to cut out the supply of the fluid from th pump I52 with respect to the system and cause the fluid circulated thereby to flow back to the supply through the pipe 203.

The valve 202 is operated at a predetermined time in the operation of the system, automati- 'cally, and in any desired or suitable manner,

preferably by means of a valve operating mechanism 2 (see Figures 8 and which in turn is controlled in its operation by the fluid pressure in the system and which controls an electro-responsive device 2I2 (see Figure 15) controlled by a clock mechanism 2 I3 which operates a valve 2I4 to permit fluid pressure to unbalance the valve 202, the valve 2I4 controlling the fluid pressure in the pipe 2I5.

The timer 2| 3 is initially set to operate at a predetermined time after the commencement of any sequence in the operation of the mechanism.

There may be times when it is desired to maintain the valve 202 open for a prolonged period and to that end there is provided a by-pass 2I8 preferably manually controlled by a valve 2| 1, bypassing the fluid around the valve 2I4 and the by-pass H6 and the valve 2I1 may be an ordinary valve to open and close the by-pass.

A manually operated pressure regulator H8 is provided for remote control of the pressure through the valve I, one side of the latter being connected with the valve 2I8 by a pipe 2I8-a and the other side of the valve 2! is connected with an exhaust pipe 2I8b so that by operating the valve 2I8 the pressure in the system which it is necessary to maintain may be increased or decreased. That is, the pressure necessary to operate the valve 20I may be varied at will.

Another pump 2I9 operates to normally bypass fiuid from the supply pipe 220 back to the supply through the pipe 22I and this circulation is controlled by a valve 222 being opened, and the opening of this valve is accomplished by unbalancing the fluid pressure which operates it by reason of a valve 223 being opened and which valve is controlled by the operation of the piston 88 and the piston rod 9|. The element I09 carried by the piston rod 9I when the piston 88 is lowered operating to open the valve 223. This valve controls the venting line 224 which communicates with the casing of the valve 222 and the exhaust pipe I82.

This valve 223 may be of any desired construction but is preferably an ordinary open and shut valve. When this valve 222 is opened, pressure is exhausted through the pipe 22I. When the injection plunger 93 and the piston 88 move upwardly to permit the valve 223 to close. the valve 222 will be positioned so that an extra volume of fluid will be supplied to the cylinder 81 through the line I55 for rapid injection of the material from the injection cylinder and into the mold.

A check valve 225 is provided in the pipe I54 between the pump 2I9 and the line I55, and a check valve 226 may also be provided in the pipe I81. Pressure gauges 221 may also be provided in the line I61 on both sides of the valve 228 so as to indicate different pressures, while a pressure gauge 228 may also be provided in the pilot line I18.

Obviously check and relief valves may be provided at any desired or necessary points in either of the systems.

Any suitable means may be provided for locking the upper section I2I of the mold to the platen 24, such as L-shaped clamps 229 which are held in position by means of fastening bolts 230 which pass therethrough and enter the platen. The ends of these clamps project into recesses 23I in the mold section I2I.

In order to position the upper mold section with respect to the lower mold section, guide pins 232, any number of which may be provided, are secured to the lower section III of the mold. These guide pins are adapted to enter suitable openings 233 in the upper mold section I2I. As an additional means for securing the lower mold section III against displacement with respect to the bed 20 one or more positioning or locatin blocks 234 may be provided which may be secured to the bed preferably by means of the fastening bolt 235 and contact the edge of the mold section II I.

The lower mold section I II is provided with open recesses 236 and secured to the upper mold section I2I are L-shaped members 231, the ends 238 of which project into the recesses 238 and the recesses are of a height considerably greater than the vertical dimension of the L-shaped portion 238 of the respective members 231.

Springs 239, any number of which may be provided, are respectively seated in recesses 240 in the lower mold section III and contact thu end of the respective L-shaped members 231, the latter being secured to the upper mold section in any suitable manner such as by means of fastening bolts 24I. The tendency of these springs 239 is to move the mold section I2I away from the section III and in order to hold the mold section I2I in contact with the mold section III, any suitable means may be employed, such as a slidable member 242 which is held in position preferably by means of the screw 243 passing through a slot 244. The forward end of this member is beveled, as at 245, and connected to the member intermediate its ends, as at 245, is a lever 241 the lower end ofwhich is pivotally connected, as at 248, to a link 249 which in turn is pivotally connected, as at 250, to the lower mold section III.

With this construction and with the parts in the position shown in full lines in Figure 10 the wedge shaped portion 245 of the member 244 will be forced between the extremity 238 of the memher 231 and the upper wall 25I of the recess 236 to draw the upper mold section I2I against the lower mold section III at the same time com-' pressing the springs 239. When the lever 241 is moved tothe position shown in dotted lines in the said figure, then the beveled or tapered extremity 245 of the member 242 will be withdrawn to unlock the mold sections with the result that the stress of the springs 239 will tend to slightly separate the mold sections. When the mold section I2I is unlocked with respect to the mold section III and by reason of the clamps 229 which secures the mold section I2I to the platen 24, the mold section I2I will be raised with the platen to permit ejection of the article from the mold.

I. When, however, the upper mold section I2] is locked to the lower mold section III through the medium of the member 242, the lower mold section will also be raised with the platen so as to uncover the ejection chamber I03 to permit insertion of a supply of material and to permit free and unobstructed access to the interior of the chamber I83.

In order to compensate for any shrinkage of the material in the mold and to provide a means whereby an excess supply of material may be delivered to the mold to be subsequently injected into the mold with the material previously delivered into the mold, any suitable means may be provided and to that end the mold cavity 252 (see particularly Figur 9) has communication through a passage 253 to a reservoir chamber 254 in which latter is arranged a plunger 255 which substantially fills the chamber. Connected to the plunger 255 is a piston rod 256 which in turn is connected to a piston 251 that operates in a chamber or cylinder 258. This chamber 258 is connected by means of a passage or pipe 259 to a valve casing 268 in which is arranged a manually operated valve 26I. This valve is of such a construction that when it is in the position shown in Figure 9, it will form a communication between the pipe 259 and a pipe 262 which in turn is connected with the fluid pressure circuit.

Leading also from the valve casing 26I is an exhaust pipe 263. The valve is of such a construction, as before stated, that when in the position shown in Figure 9 fluid under pressure may be admitted into the cylinder 258. When, however, the valve 26I is moved to close the pipe 262 with respect to the pipe 259, the portion 264 of the valve will assume a position as to 'close the connection between the valve casing and the pipe 262 thereby opening the exhaust pipe 263 into,

communication with the pipe 259 so that when the material is forced into the mold chamber 252 and also into the chamber 254 the plunger 255 will be raised.

When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 9 and'after the material has been supplied to mold under pressure and before the article in the chamber 252 has been completely formed, in order to compensate for the shrinkage and to insure a proper density of the article, fluid pressure will be admitted through the pipe 262 past the valve 26I through the pipe 259, thence into the cylinder 258 to operate against the piston 251 which will in turn, through the medium of the piston 256, force the plunger 255 downwardly to eject the material from the cylinder 254 into the mold chamber 252.

If desired and in order to maintain the plunger 255 elevated, a spring controlled pin or member 265 may be provided to frictionally engage the plunger 255 when the latter is raised.

It may sometimes be desired to perform the operation of shaping the articles in the dies or molds by a 2-step pressure method and to that end means may be provided for successively arresting the platen 24 inits movement toward the bed 28. To that end there may be provided steps or anvils 266 (see particularly Figures 12 and 13) which are adapted to engage and rest upon the bed 28 and may be of any desired height according to the point at which it is desired to arrest the movement of the upper mold I2I in its direction of movement toward the lower mold I I I. Secured to the lower face of the platen 24 is a member 261 one for each of the anvils 266 and this member 261 is provided with a stepped portion 268 in its lower face.

When the parts are in the position shown in pressure being supplied to side of the piston from any suitable source of supply by means of a pipe 214 supplied to move the ment toward the lower mold I II but in such position as to close the mold chamber 218 so that the material may be forced through the sprue 2'. These anvils will also serve to prevent the pressure exerted upon the platen 24 from crushing or injuring the molds.

After the material has been forced into the mold chamber 210 and after the material in the sprue has become set, the anvils 266 may be moved towards each other to position them so that the platen 24 and the upper mold section I2I may be further lowered to compress the material in the mold chamber 218, and the chilled material in the sprue will permit the material in the mold from being forced back through the sprue. That is. so that the upper end of the anvil 266 will be in alinement with the stepped portion 268 of the members 26I, as shown more clearly in Figure 13 of the drawings.

At this time the movement of the platen 24 and the upper mold section I2I respectively toward the bed 20 will be arrested and the material in the mold chamber 218 will be further compressed, and the mold sections will be relieved of the excessive pressure of the platen and ram while the latter will be held together with sufiicient force as to resist separation of the mold of the article will be accomplished by the pressure of the mold sections being forced together.

Any suitable means may be provided for moving the steps or anvils 266, such as a cylinder 212 having a piston operable therein, the piston rod 213 being connected to the anvil 266, fluid the cylinder 212 on one piston in one direction, and through the pipe 15 to the other side of the piston to move it in the opposite direction. A suitable control valve of any ordinary and well known construction may be employed forcontrolling the direction of flow of the fluid with respect to the piston in the cylinder 212 according to the direction of movement which it is desired to impart to the respective anvils or steps 266.

In order, however, to move the steps or anvils 266 the pressure on the platen 24 is relieved thereby permitting the anvils 266 to be properly positioned with respect to the surface 268 and when it is desired to move the anvils 266 back again so as to be in position that the surfaces 269 will contact them, the platen 24 is raised so as to permit the anvil to clear the shoulder formed by thestepped portion 268 of the member 26 I.

In Figure 19 of the drawings there is showina simple construction of the valves I8llI86- I9I-I95 by means of which the direction of flow;

the valves of the fluid from the pilot lines to 49-86--12-II1 may be controlled. In Figure 17 of the drawings the construction of the valves 49-86-12,-I I1 is shown and each comprises a casing in which the valve 216 proper operates. The valve 216 is provided with a piston 211 on each end thereof movable respectively in cylinders 218. One of the cylinders is connected by meanspf the pipe I84 to the valve casing I88, while the other of thecylinders 219 is connected by meansxof the pipe I83 to the valve casing I88 to operate the valve 216, the valve casing 49 being connected with the pipe 48 to the cylinder 35 on one side ofthe piston 39 and by the pipe 46 to the other side of the piston 39, while the pipe I68 is connected to the valve casing 49 to form 

